Phil Foden: Patience Rewarded?

Phil Foden stands at the cusp, on the brink of an incredible career, but will it be with Manchester City?

There, I have said it. Phil Foden could be a generational talent for Manchester City or the great missed opportunity, seeing out his career playing for lesser clubs, pining for what should have been. He stands on the brink, patiently waiting but is that patience being rewarded?

Much is made of Foden’s local roots and affinity to the Club. “One of our own” goes the cheerful refrain, but the only purpose it has served so far has been to keep him here, whilst others have left to forge valuable careers.

Watching the lack of speedy movement in the current City midfield leaves the questions over the absence of Foden rumbling on.

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Now, I have been a big supporter of the path taken by Guardiola in his development of Foden so far. Protecting players and letting them improve has been a key mantra, and as I have said Sir Alex Ferguson took a similar approach with David Beckham.

It was only after the age of 20 when Beckham really began to cling to a starting berth. Until then he was getting occasional run outs- in fact both Foden and Beckham have markedly similar numbers of appearances at the same ages.

So age alone informs us that Foden is at a critical breakthrough point. Players who arrive at a younger age tend to have shorter careers – in similar positions.

Right now though things have changed for Manchester City and the luxury we had of easing Foden in has started to evaporate with poor performances and inconsistent form. We have reached the point where we need Foden playing regularly to add some sparkle and speed to our midfield.

Arguments about protecting the player have lessened. Foden is needed now to add to our midfield. Guardiola’s dogged determination to believe in Gundogan and David Silva is beginning to bring pressure to our side.

If Foden does not receive increased game time – and not just in the Carabao Cup – in the remaining games in December then he probably needs to go on loan to make clear what we are missing. He may need to elevate his own needs above those of Manchester City for the first time.

For Foden to truly have a chance to step into Silva’s shoes next season, he needs regular first team action. It may take him half a season to reach peak levels of match fitness, and what better time to start.

As a young player, he will make mistakes and needs to play regularly to really develop. Coaching alone will not make him a better player.

Otherwise we can expect City to add to their roster by buying another fully formed midfielder, which in turn will reduce Foden’s opportunities even more.

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This is the critical point for Foden. Although it pains me to say, if he does not receive regular game time before the New Year then he should be asking for a January loan move.

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